Rocking Target

ABSTRACT

A device that is capable of being in three states: (1) a first stable state, (2) a second stable state, wherein said device teeters back and forth when hit by a force, and (3) and a third stable state, wherein said device will topple completely over when hit too hard by a force. The device comprises a target piece and a base. The base is configured to lay flat on a surface and contains a curved section, a ledge, and a ledge perimeter. The target piece may contain a top piece attached on the opposite side which the base is attached, which may contain a hollow cavity, a shot glass holder cavity, or take the shape of a target for use in target practice. The device may be used in many different applications including in recreation games, drinking games, target practice, and fighting practice.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of target games or drinking games.More specifically, the invention relates to a rocking target in whichthe object of the game is either: (1) to hit the present device withoutcausing it to topple completely over, or (2) to hit the present devicewith such a force that the device topples completely over.

2. Description of the Related Art

The present invention is applicable to a wide variety of rocking targetsthat move when hit with a force and should not be viewed as beinglimited to any one type. The present invention may be used in manyapplications, including for target practice, fighting practice, throwingpractice, recreational gaming, and even for use as a drinking game. Acommon prior art rocking target is displayed in FIG. 1. The inflatablepunching bag 22 has a weighted base 24, typically weighted through theaddition of a weight, liquid, or sand, which forms the center of gravityof the inflatable punching bag 22. The low center of gravity preventsthe punching bag 22 from falling over no matter how far it tips from itsupright position.

The prior art is different from the present invention. Users practicingtarget aim, fighting techniques, or playing a game find utility in adevice that will react when hit and may either return to its uprightposition or topple over when hit at a certain angle or with a certainamount of force. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a devicethat will rock back and forth, as in the prior art, but is also capableof toppling over if it is hit at an angle that causes it to sway too farfrom its upright position. The present invention solves this problem byrocking back and forth and also having the ability to topple over.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a device that rocks back and forthwhen hit but will also topple over if hit too hard with a force, causingthe device to swing at an angle too wide past its center of gravity. Thepresent invention can be in three states: (1) a tirst stable state, inwhich the device sits in an upright position on a surface, (2) a secondstable state, in which the device will rock back and forth and return toits upright position, and (3) a third stable state, in which the devicerocks too far past its center of gravity, causing it to topplecompletely over. A target piece is attached to a first end of a stem,and a second end of the stem is attached to a base. The base is attachedto the second end of the stem, and the stem is attached to the toppiece. The base may have a ledge perimeter and a ledge, as well as aflat section on the bottom surface of the base and a curved section. Theflat section is meant to touch the object/surface which the device issitting on, and the curved section curves upwards from the bottomsurface of the base. The device is meant to be hit with a force,allowing it to rock back and forth in a pendulum motion in a positivestability margin. It is the curved section of the base of the devicethat allows this back and forth motion. The device will topple overcompletely when it rocks at too far of an angle, at which point thedevice's center of gravity rocks into a negative stability margin.

The top piece of the device can be adapted to accommodate many differentshapes. The top piece may be a hollow cavity for use as a drinking cupfor wine, beer, soda, or the like. The hollow cavity may also be used tohold cards or paper notes, for example. The device may also have a shotglass holder top piece, in which a prior art shot glass with or withouta prior art shot glass lid may be placed inside the shot glass holdertop piece for use in a drinking game. Further, the device may have atarget top piece in which said target top piece is used for targetpractice, such as a spherical shaped top piece, for use in shooting,archery, sling shot, BB gun, baseball, golf, or other like target gamepractice. The target top piece may also receive a loose object, such asa hat, that will lay on top of the device. Thus, during a targetpractice game, the user will hit the loose object with a force,intending to hit the object off of the device. The device may take theshape of a boxed block, in which the device comprises a boxed targetpiece and may have a boxed base, which may also be used thr targetgames. Additionally, the device itself may take the shape of a figurine,such as a clown.

The device may also contain different shaped bases. In one version ofthe invention, the base is cylindrical. In another version of theinvention, the based is box shaped, similar to a rectangular prism. Inanother version of the invention, the base is weight-holding, in whichthe weight-holding base is hollow and contains a weighted substance suchas water or sand. The device may be adjusted such that a smaller orlarger amount of force is necessary to cause the device to enter itsthird stable state. For example, in the weight-holding base embodiment,the base may be adjusted to hold more or less weight. If the base holdsless weight, than the device will require less force to enter the thirdstable state. In other embodiments, the height of the device can beadjusted, requiring more or less force to make the device topplecompletely over into the third stable state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view, showing a prior art rocking target game;

FIG. 2 is a side view, showing one embodiment of the present inventionwith an optional hollow top piece;

FIG. 3 is a cut-away view, showing the device of FIG. 2 filled withwine;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view, showing the base of the device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the base of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the device of FIG. 2, showing the rockingmotion of the device when hit;

FIG. 7A is a side view of the device of FIG. 2 in a first stable state,illustrating the device's center of gravity;

FIG. 7B is a side view of the device of FIG. 2, illustrating thepositive stability margin which allows the device to return to a firststable state;

FIG. 7C is a side view of the device of FIG. 2 in a second stable state,illustrating the center of gravity as the device rocks back and forth inthe positive stability margin;

FIG. 7D is a side view of the device of FIG. 2 in a second stable state,illustrating the center of gravity as the device rocks back and forthinto the negative stability margin;

FIG. 7E is a side view of the device of FIG. 2, illustrating the devicein a third stable state;

FIG. 7F is a side view of the device of FIG. 2, illustrating the devicetransitioning from the second stable state to the third stable state;

FIG. 8 is cut-away view of the device of FIG. 2, showing an optionalshot glass-shaped cavity top piece;

FIG. 9 is a side view, showing a prior art shot glass and a prior artshot glass lid and the placement of the prior art shot glass into thedevice of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view, showing another embodiment the present inventionwith an optional target top piece and an optional weight-holding base;

FIG. 11 is a cut-away view of the weight-holding base of the deviceshown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a side view, showing another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the device showing in FIG. 12,illustrating the base.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

-   -   20 rocking target    -   22 inflatable punching bag (prior art)    -   24 weighted base (prior art)    -   26 hollow top piece    -   27 first end    -   28 curved stem    -   29 second end    -   30 base    -   31 top surface    -   32 wine    -   35 bottom surface    -   36 curved section    -   38 flat section    -   40 ledge    -   41 ledge perimeter    -   42 top portion    -   44 bottom portion    -   46 shot glass holder top piece    -   48 shot glass holder    -   50 shot glass (prior art)    -   52 shot glass lid (prior art)    -   54 target top piece    -   56 straight stem    -   58 weight-holding base    -   59 cup    -   60 sand    -   64 boxed target piece    -   66 boxed base    -   68 surface    -   70 center of gravity    -   72 contact point    -   74 gravity vector

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this Specification, claims, and accompanying drawings, reference ismade to the particular features of the invention. It is to be understoodthat the disclosure of the invention includes all possible combinationsof such particular features. For example, where a particular feature isdisclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of theinvention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to theextent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of otherparticular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and the inventiongenerally.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention. Rockingtarget 20 comprises hollow top piece 26, which is attached to first end27 of curved stem 23, and base 30. Base 30 has a top surface 31 which isattached to second end 29 of curved stem 28. Hollow top piece 26 can beused to hold liquid such as water, beer, or wine, and it can also beused to hold paper or cards. Hollow top piece 26 is desirable to thepresent invention because it can be used for drinking games, wherein itcan hold alcoholic drinks. Hollow top piece 26 can also hold paper orcards, which is desirable for use in card games or other games requiringuse of paper, including games like “truth or dare.”

FIG. 3 shows a cut-away view of the present invention. Hollow top piece26 of rocking target 20 is filled with wine 32, as one example. This isdesirable to the invention for use at parties or as a drinking game.Though the figure shows hollow top piece 26 filled with wine, the readerwill appreciate that hollow top piece 26 could be filled with anyliquid, including other alcoholic drinks, water, and juice. The abilityof rocking target 20 to hold a liquid is advantageous in that the usermay enjoy the mere novelty of the ability of rocking target 20 to swayback and forth and return to a first stable state (upright position)when hit with a light force.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of base 30, illustrating flat section 38, whichis the surface 68 that rocking target 20 will lay flat on (not shown)when in its first stable state. Flat section 38 is necessary such thatrocking target 20 may rest on surface 68 (not shown) when in its uprightposition. When rocking target 20 is hit with a force, it will teeterback and forth, much like the motion of a swinging pendulum, in a secondstable state. So long as rocking target's 20 center of gravity remainswithin the positive stability margin, it will return from the secondstable state to a first stable state, with rocking target 20 sittingupright, lying flat on flat section 38. Flat section 38 curves upward,creating curved section 36. Curved section 36 is attached to ledge 40,which creates ledge perimeter 41 along the edges of base 30. While thisfigure depicts ledge 40 and ledge perimeter 41, the reader willappreciate that the present invention does not require the presence ofledge 40 or ledge perimeter 41 in all embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a side elevation view of base 30. Top portion 42 and bottomportion 44 will ofien be made as a single unified piece—such as byinjection molding. Flat section 38 is the portion of the base thatcustomarily rests on a flat surface. Curved section 36 surrounds flatsection 38. Ledge 40 surrounds curved section 36. Ledge perimeter 41 isthe outermost edge of the ledge. In this example, curved stem 28 extendsupward from top surface 31. Again, the reader will appreciate that ledge40 and ledge perimeter 41 are optional.

FIG. 6 shows the rocking motion of rocking target 20 when hit with anyoutside force. Rocking target 20 will swing back and forth like apendulum in a second stable state, until rocking target 20 eventuallyeither returns to a first stable state or topples over into a thirdstable state. The version shown actually has three stable states and aplurality of metastable transition states. These various states createinteresting motions and add to the excitement of the target games.

FIGS. 7A-7F illustrate these various states. The reader will appreciatethat, while ledge perimeter 41 is shown in these figures as a referencepoint to gravity vector 74, ledge perimeter 41 is not required in thepresent invention and rocking target 20 will still have three stablestates regardless of the presence of ledge 40 and ledge perimeter 41.FIG. 7A shows rocking target 20 in its first stable state. Flat section38 of base 30 is resting on a surface 68 (such as a table top). Centerof gravity 70 of the rocking target as a whole lies directly above flatsection 38. The result is a stable state. In the context of thisapplication this will be referred to as the “first stable state.”

FIG. 7B shows the same rocking target after it has been struck andtipped to one side. FIG. 7B shows the farthest tipping motion obtained.The contact between the tipping target and surface 68 is made at contactpoint 72. Gravity vector 74 passes vertically downward from center ofgravity 79. The reader will observe how gravity vector 74 passes to theleft of contact point 72. This means that the target will tip back tothe left and eventually reach the first stable state again.

FIG. 7C shows the target after an even larger upsetting force has beenapplied. Gravity vector 72 now lies to the right of contact point 72,meaning that the target will now continue to tip further toward theright. However, the reader will note that gravity vector 74 lies to theleft of ledge perimeter 41. The target will tip further to the right,but the tipping will be arrested (unless the dynamic rate of tipping isvery high) when ledge perimeter 41 makes contact with surface 68. Theresult is that the target will again become stable—but this time in aleaning state (shown in FIG. 7F). This leaning state will be referred toas the “second stable state.” The second stable state providesinteresting dynamics because the target will roll around on ledgeperimeter 41. The rolling will continue for some time before the targetcomes to a complete stop.

FIG. 7D shows the tipping target after an even greater disturbing forcehas been applied. In this case the target has tipped sufficiently forthe point of contact to become ledge perimeter 41. Gravity vector 74 nowlies to the right of ledge perimeter 41. The target will thereorecontinue to tip—all the way onto its side.

The fully tipped state is shown in FIG. 7E. This fully tippedconfiguration is referred to as the “third stable state.” Here, device20 was hit too hard by an upsetting force, causing the device tocompletely topple over. Base 30 is no longer lying on flat section 38.Rather, the entire device 20 sits horizontally sideways on a surface 68.

FIG. 7F shows device 20 tipping to the eventual third stable state (notshown). Base 30 is no longer sitting upright on flat section 38 on asurface 68. Device 20 has rocked passed curved section 36 to the leftonto ledge perimeter 41. From here, device 20 will topple completelyover into the third stable state (not shown).

FIG. 8 shows the present invention with an optional shot glass holdertop piece 46. Rocking target 20 still comprises a base 30 and a curvedstem 28 but shot glass holder top piece 46 has replaced hollow top piece26. Shot glass holder top piece 46 comprises a hollow cavity in theshape of a shot glass, such that a user may place a prior art shot glass50 into the cavity. Shot glass holder top piece 46 is made so that auser may easily place and retrieve a prior art shot glass 50 from theshot glass-shaped hollow cavity. As shown, shot glass holder top piece46 is made to fit a conventional rounded shot glass, but the reader willappreciate that optional shot glass holder top piece 46 may be shaped tofit any size or shape prior art shot glass 50.

FIG. 9 shows how a user would use rocking target 20 with shot glassholder top piece 46. The user may optionally place a prior art shotglass lid 52 on top of prior art shot glass 50 to prevent spillage inthe event rocking target 20 topples over into its second or third stablestates. The user would then place prior art shot glass 50 into shotglass holder top piece 46.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. Thisembodiment is desirable for users that prefer to use rocking target 20as a target practice game. This is because rocking target 20 comprises atarget top piece attached to a straight stem 56. As shown, straight stem56 is attached to the top surface 31 of a weight-holding base 58, butthe reader will appreciate that rocking target 20 may alternativelycomprise base 30. Target top piece 54 may be spherical (shown), or anyother shape designed to be hit with a force, such as a conventionalovular target for practice, and may be solid or hollow on the inside. Ina game using rocking target 20, the users will preferably aim to hittarget top piece 54. When target top piece 54 is hit, rocking target 20will move from the first stable state and begin to swing back and forthin a second stable state. If target top piece 54 is hit too hard with aforce, the entire rocking target 20 will topple completely over to athird stable state.

FIG. 11 is a cut-away illustration of weight-holding base 58.Weight-holding base 58 has a cup 59, which has a hollow inside. Thereader will appreciate that cup 59 of weight-holding base 58 can takeany shape. Top portion 42 is shown below cup 59. In this embodiment, topportion 42 is hollow inside. Cup 59 is filled with sand 60 in thefigure, but any other weight-bearing substance, such as a liquid, couldalso be used. Top portion 42 is attached to bottom portion 44, whichcomprises curved section 36 and a flat section 38. Device 20 (not shown)will rock on curved section 36 if hit with a force (second stablestate). Flat section 38 makes contact with the surface 68 (not shown)that device 20 lies flat on in its upright position (first stablestate). The reader will appreciate that top portion 42 bottom portion 44can be any shape, so long as the base has a ledge and a curved section.Rocking target 20 will teeter back and forth in a second stable statewhen hit with a force. However, once rocking target 20 is hit too hard,it will enter into the negative stability margin (not shown) and, likeother embodiments of the invention, will topple completely over into athird stable state.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention. Rocking target 20 comprises an elongated boxed target piece64 that is attached to a boxed base 66. Boxed target piece 64 has alength and takes the shape of an elongated cube or rectangular prism,with a height greater in length than its width. In this embodiment,rocking target 20 may be hit at any point along boxed top piece 64, andsuch force will cause rocking target 20 to teeter back and forth in asecond stable state along boxed base 66. Though this embodiment is shownwith the presence of boxed base 66, the reader will appreciate thatboxed base 66 is not required in this embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a detailed view of boxed base 66 of FIG. 12. Boxed base 66is like alternative bases described in other embodiments of theinvention in that it comprises curved section 36 and a flat section 38on bottom surface 35 of boxed base 66. Rocking target 20 comprises fourledges 40, which are at the end of boxed top piece 64 that is attachedto boxed base 66. Rocking target 20 lies upright on flat section 38.When hit with a force, rocking target 20 enters a second stable stateand rocks back and forth along curved section 36. So long as rockingtarget 20 does not enter into the negative stability margin, rockingtarget 20 will not topple over from a second stable state into a thirdstable state. Rather, rocking target 20 will return from a second stablestate to a first stable state. Again, the reader will appreciate thatboxed base 66 is not required in this embodiment and is merely shown asan option.

The “force” used to hit rocking target 20 may be anything that wouldcause rocking target 20 to move from its first stable state, includingfor example a hand or foot, a ball, a bat, a projectile, or a golf club.Rocking target 20 may be made of any durable material, including wood,plastic, or the like. Preferably, hollow top piece 26 and shot glassholder top piece 46 will be made out of a liquid-resistant material. Thetop piece, stein, and base in any of the embodiments may be attachedwith any adhesive material, including glue, wood glue, or may bemanufactured as one piece. Alternatively, the top piece, stem, and basein any embodiment may be magnetically attached to each other, such thatwhen a user hits rocking target 20 with a force, the force overcomes themagnetic attraction and causes rocking target 20 to come apart. Anyembodiments of the present invention may also have a meter placed insideof it, such that the force or angle can be recorded when a user hitsrocking target 20.

The previously described embodiments of the present invention have manyadvantages. The invention allows user to play drinking or target games,wherein the object of the game may be either to cause rocking target 20to topple over into a third stable state or cause rocking target 20 toswing back and forth in a second stable state without topplingcompletely over. The present invention may be used to hold liquid, suchas when users want to play a drinking game or can include a target toppiece for users that want to use rocking target 20 for target practice.Finally, rocking target 20 has different options for base pieces,wherein the base may incorporate a curved section and a ledge or aweight-holding base 58.

The particular embodiments described are preferred due to theiradvantages over the prior art but are not required in all versions ofthe invention. Importantly, the invention does not require that all theadvantageous features described herein be incorporated into everyembodiment of the invention.

The preceding description contains significant detail regarding thenovel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed,however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providingillustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. As anexample, rocking target 20 may contain a top piece that is any shape,including a target shape, a piece with a hollow cavity, or the shape ofa rectangular prism.

1. A rocking target, comprising: a top piece; a stem extending downwardfrom said top piece; a base attached to said stem; wherein said base hasa flat section surrounded by a curved section; wherein said base isconfigured to rest on a surface on said flat section; wherein said basehas a circular ledge extending outward form said curved section: whereinsaid rocking target has a center of gravity lying a distance from saidflat section; wherein said center of gravity has a gravity vectorextending downward from said center of gravity; wherein said flatsection is bounded by a circle defined by a contact point; wherein saidledge is bounded by a ledge perimeter; wherein said distance of saidcenter of gravity from said flat section, a first radius defining saidcontact point, and a second radius defining said ledge perimeter areselected such that, said rocking target has a first stable state,wherein said gravity vector extends downward through said flat sectionwhile permitting a rocking motion of said rocking target that dampensover time; said rocking target has a second stable state, wherein saidgravity vector extends downward between said contact point and saidledge perimeter while permitting a rocking motion of said rocking targetthat dampens over time; and said rocking target has a third stablestate, wherein said gravity vector extends downward outside said ledgeperimeter.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The rocking target of claim 1, wherein saidbase is cylindrical in shape.
 4. The rocking target of claim 1, whereinsaid target piece has a top piece attached to opposite end of saidtarget piece where said base is attached.
 5. The rocking target of claim4, wherein said top piece is spherical in shape.
 6. The rocking targetof claim 4, wherein said top piece has a hollow top, said hollow topbeing capable of holding a liquid or an object.
 7. (canceled) 8.(canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled)
 12. A rockingtarget, comprising: a top piece; a stem extending downward from said toppiece; wherein said stem has a height, a first end, and a second end;wherein said first end of said stem is attached to said top piece;wherein said second end of said stem is attached to a base; wherein saidbase has a flat section surrounded by a curved section surrounded by aledge; wherein said ledge has a ledge perimeter; wherein said ledgeperimeter is the outmost perimeter of said ledge; wherein said base isconfigured to rest on a surface on said flat section; wherein saidrocking target has a center of gravity lying above said base; whereinsaid center of gravity has a gravity vector descending downward fromsaid center of gravity; wherein said flat section is bounded by a circledefined by a contact point: wherein a distance of said center of gravityfrom said flat section, a first radius defining said contact point, anda second radius defining said ledge perimeter are selected such that,said rocking target has a first stable state, wherein said gravityvector extends downward through said flat section while permitting arocking motion of said rocking target that dampens over time; saidrocking target has a second stable state, wherein said gravity vectorextends downward between said contact point and said ledge perimeterwhile permitting a rocking motion of said rocking target that dampensover time; and said rocking target has a third stable state, whereinsaid gravity vector extends downward outside said ledge perimeter. 13.The rocking target of claim 12, wherein said base is cylindrical inshape.
 14. The rocking target of claim 12, wherein said top piece isspherical in shape.
 15. The rocking target of claim 12, wherein said toppiece has a hollow top, said hollow top being capable of holding aliquid or an object.
 16. The rocking target of claim 15, wherein saidhollow top is in the shape of a shot glass.
 17. The rocking target ofclaim 12, wherein said base is a weight-holding base, wherein saidweight-holding base further comprises an outer cup attached to saidtarget piece of said rocking target, wherein said outer cup is a hollowcavity capable of holding a weight bearing substance.
 18. The rockingtarget of claim 12, wherein said top piece is attached to said first endof said stem and said base is attached to said second end of said stemvia magnetic attraction.
 19. The rocking target of claim 12, whereinsaid rocking target further comprises a meter that measures the angle atwhich said rocking target swayed when hit with a force.
 20. The rockingtarget of claim 12, wherein said mcking target further comprises a meterthat measures the force with which said rocking target was hit.
 21. Arocking target, comprising: a target piece; wherein said target piecehas a length and a height; wherein said target piece is a rectangularprism in shape; wherein said rocking target is configured to rest flaton a surface; wherein said rocking target has a center of gravity;wherein said center of gravity has a gravity vector; wherein saidgravity vector extends downward from said center of gravity; whereinsaid rocking target has a first stable state; wherein said rockingtarget lies flat on said surface; wherein said rocking target has asecond stable state; wherein said rocking target no longer lies flat onsaid surface; wherein said rocking target has a third stable state; andwherein said rocking target lies horizontally on said surface.
 22. Therocking target of claim 21, wherein said rocking target has a base,wherein said base has a flat section surrounded by a curved section,wherein said flat section of said base is configured to rest on saidsurface.
 23. The rocking target of claim 22, wherein said curved sectionof said base is surrounded by a ledge, wherein said ledge has a ledgeperimeter.
 24. The rocking target of claim 21, wherein said target pieceis attached to said base via magnetic attraction.
 25. The rocking targetof claim 21, wherein said rocking target further comprises a meter thatmeasures the angle at which said rocking target swayed when hit with aforce.
 26. The rocking target of claim 21, wherein said rocking targetfurther comprises a meter that measures the force with which saidrocking target was hit.